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Special sessions cut into lawmakers', taxpayers' wallets

State Rep. John Frullo knew about the possibility of special sessions about one and a half years ago, when he decided to run for the legislative seat he occupies.

AUSTIN - State Rep. John Frullo knew about the possibility of special sessions about one and a half years ago, when he decided to run for the legislative seat he occupies.

So, he planned for at least one that could last the maximum 30 days required by law.

Frullo, R-Lubbock, who represents House District 84, said he's glad he did.

As his veteran colleagues in the 181-member Texas Legislature found out long ago, special sessions can take a financial toll on each legislator, particularly among freshmen who tend to be young and in the most productive years of their careers.

"It is a sacrifice for all of us who are here, from a family standpoint as well as an economic standpoint," the 48-year-old print shop owner said shortly after finding out that Gov. Rick Perry would order the lawmakers to stay in Austin to take care of unfinished business.

"You plan for the four and a half months that the regular session lasts and for a special session, too," Frullo said. "But you hope to finish everything in 140 days so that you can go back home and take care of your own business."

Like other lawmakers, Frullo declined to go into details of loss of income; he said he is not complaining

"I am ready to stay as long as needed because this is what we promised the voters when we ran," Frullo said. "We need to take care of the people's business first, and then go back home to care of our own."

For Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, it is the same story.

"Yes, financially it has an impact on you and your family," the 43-year-old attorney said.

"But I am ready to accept it and get our work done," Price said. "This is what I signed up for when I decided to seek this office."

Like Frullo, Price is among the 38 House freshmen, the largest number of rookies since 1973.

And there is more to it than the loss of income.

For Frullo, Price and other lawmakers with young families, special sessions also mean postponing or even canceling summer vacations.

"We have not made any vacation plans," Price said. "We put them on hold on the anticipation that we'd be here."

Special sessions also hit the taxpayers.

A 30-day session costs in the neighborhood of $1 million to $1.2 million, mainly in per diem and traveling costs for the lawmakers, according to the state government.

Each lawmaker is entitled to $150 for lodging, food and other costs for each day he or she is doing state business.

Lawmakers also get reimbursed for most of their traveling costs. Because most of them are from outside the Austin area, it adds up.

Like most of their colleagues, Frullo and Price hope the current special session that started Tuesday will be the only one of the 82nd Legislature.

But history is not on their side.

In the 10½ years Gov. Rick Perry has been in office, he has called eight special sessions in six legislative cycles.

With the exception of a two-day special session in July 2009, the previous ones lasted 30 days each.

The governor of Texas is the only one who can call a special session and decide the time and the items on the legislative agenda.

In the past, frequent special sessions and the fact that state legislators get paid only $600 a month has forced a few of them not to seek re-election, or some to leave office before their terms expired.

Six years ago, for example, Rep. Ray Allen, R-Grand Prairie, resigned a year and a half before his two-year term expired. Shortly after, Rep. Jim Solis, D-Harlingen, said he would not seek re-election.

Allen and Solis said being legislators hurt their livelihoods. Allen said he was tired of being broke.

Frullo and Price say they hope this wouldn't be the case with them and plan to serve their respective constituents for a long time, provided the voters re-elect them every two years when they are on the ballot.

But they said they also hope special sessions will only happen when absolutely necessary.